To think drink driving does not mean lose your license?

[berks]

Regular poster but name changed.

DH was arrested for drunk driving last night after crashing his car. He blew 104 on the breathalyser then tested 57 at the police station several hours later. He broke his wrist so had to go to hospital before the station.

He's the sole earner in our family- I haven't worked since 2014 since I had our first child- we have 3 DCs (age 6, 3 and 1). If he loses his license he won't be able to get to work which is 15 miles away and not near public transport.

He seems to think that because of this he may be allowed to keep his license. I am desperately clinging to this.

I know what he did is wrong, I know what could have happened so please don't lecture me- he's in more trouble at home I assure you.

I haven't stopped crying all morning. He's such an idiot.

You can plead hardship for things like accumulating speeding points. You can't for drink driving. He will and should be disqualified.

It's funny that you think he won't drive whilst sick yet will drive whilst drunk

Someone suggested he get a job nearer home.
I don't imagine that'll be so easy with a criminal record

He may not be banned yet I would not trust him with my car

Can you move house?

Bloody lucky his commute is only 15miles, a few moments of cycling that in the rain will be nice punishment and give him time to re-evaluate his life decisions.

My brother was banned for drink driving and wasn't allowed to drive from the moment he was breathylysed. He was banned automatically.

He doesn't need to drive to do his job so will not lose his job.

What kind of job does he do? Not wanting to be the bearer of bad news, but if he's a member of a profession with a regulatory body, they may well have standards that they expect their members to uphold. Even if a crime wasn't committed during working time, they may decide that having committed the crime brings his profession into disrepute and strike him off the register, which then automatcially disqualifies him from being legally allowed to work in that profession.

Even if this isn't strictly the case, his employers will not look kindly on having an employee in a responsible position and there may be repercussions, even down to being overlooked for promotion or being allowed certain positions of trust.

So sorry for you, OP - it wasn't your fault at all, but those few drinks are going to prove to have been extremely expensive for all of you

@berks you seem very nonchalant about his actions. I’d be horrified.

@pudcat

He may not be banned yet I would not trust him with my car

The ban is automatic. It's the length of the ban that's flexible.

I know you must be distraught OP but him needing to drive to get to work isn't a reason to let him keep his licence. The consequences to drink driving are not about what is best for him; it's about keeping potential killers off the road. Needing to drive to get to work should have been the reason he didn't drink drive, even assuming his motives were purely selfish. Not an excuse to get him off.

I know plenty of people who cycle 15 miles to work. He'd get very fit. Great for mental health as well which is likely to be low as he realises what an absolute twat he has been and the effect on your family.

If he thinks the ban is unfair, I'd seriously consider leaving him as its clear that he thinks its fine to put other people's lives in danger to save him a 25-minute walk.

Sorry that you’ve been put in this situation OP. You’re husband is a complete cunt though. I’d be divorcing him.

@Elledouble

I’ve heard you can go to court and plead hardship and they may allow you to keep your license (I know someone who did this, although it was a long time ago). But I don’t think that’s your biggest problem here.

From speaking to a solicitor friend, this is very rare. Nearly everyone gets a ban. Does he not have colleagues he could pay to give him a lift? Get a bike to ride to their house and go from there?

Just wanted to say I’m so sorry OP - it’s terrible for you to have to bear the hardship of this when it wasn’t your shitty decision that caused an issue. I hope you find a solution that works for you

Ah OP, I’m so sorry he’s put you in this position and made you vulnerable - which he absolutely has. I think in your position I’d be looking at getting myself back into work of some sort (previous job/career if possible) so that you can take over the financial responsibilities of the family. He’s shown himself to be selfish and irresponsible and I’m not sure I could get past that (but I don’t know him). Who knows what else he might do?

Once I’d secured work and childcare I’d be looking at what contributions I needed from him (monetary and time). I’d write out a schedule of what he had to do and then I’d leave him to it. Once things had settled I’d leave him, but this is obviously my opinion.

He’s shown himself to be irresponsible and has played with the family security, I wouldn’t trust him ever again.

Why are you making his problem yours?

He will have to face the consequences and find his own way to work and back.

It's true it's not automatic disqualifcation but they look at the whole picture .
My friend who's a nurse thought that and when asked anything to say said "I'm nurse " to which he got told he should know better and it went against him.
Work wise could he cycle to someones house to get a lift or failing that power assisted electric bike .

@berks

I have never seen him drink drive before. He went out last night and made a stupid decision to drive home- it would have been a 25 minute walk. As I said, this is all his fault.

His wrist isn't plastered just sore. Obviously he wouldn't drive if he's sick but he's not banned yet was my point.

People who drink drive tend to do so for convenience... until they get caught.

I highly doubt this is the first time he’s ever driven drunk. Just the first time he’s been caught.

I doubt this was a one off OP

My late partner blew 63 & got a 14 month ban, he could have done a drink awareness course & reduced his ban by 25% but didn't bother.

He should lose his licence, because he was totally irresponsible drinking so much and then driving, He could have crashed into another vehicle, and killed another person,or a few other people as well.

I'm a non-drinker, but I understand that lots of people do enjoy alcohol - and often to excess. But I'll never comprehend why people love alcohol so much that they will risk their own and their loved ones' (not to mention strangers') lives and livelihoods simply for the sake of a taxi fare or getting somebody to fetch them. Apart from everything else, if you lose your job, you won't be able to afford future drinking sessions, whether responsibly or not.

He will 100% lose his licence. For a bare minimum of a year. He will possibly be offered the opportunity to go on a drink driving course, which he will have to pay for. If he completes it, it can reduce his ban by up to 25%.

@rwalker

It's true it's not automatic disqualifcation but they look at the whole picture . My friend who's a nurse thought that and when asked anything to say said "I'm nurse " to which he got told he should know better and it went against him. Work wise could he cycle to someones house to get a lift or failing that power assisted electric bike .

You’re wrong.

Drink driving is an automatic disqualification in the UK.

Drunk and ‘in charge’ is not.